Onus on developers to support changes to Ballito/Sheffield traffic masterplan

The traffic masterplan for the rapidly expanding Greater Ballito area has taken a step nearer to reality with its formal adoption by KwaDukuza council.

The Ballito to Sheffield Strategic Transportation Masterplan, unveiled in February this year for public comment, provides for traffic easing and infrastructure improvement to ensure that the current rate of development on the North Coast is sustainable.

The plan is intended to be implemented in line with KDM’s 2030 vision for infrastructure on the North Coast, although it does run until 2039.

The main areas targeted are the M4 at Zimbali and Albertina Way, Ballito Drive and Douglas Crowe Drive, Ballito Drive and Simbithi Drive, N2 and Salt Rock interchange west terminal, N2 and Salt Rock interchange east terminal and P330 Salt Rock road and P228.

The initial budget for the upgrades is R4.064 billion. Council said it had adopted the plan with support from both Sanral and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport.

Relevant developers and stakeholders have also been included in the process.

Although some developers have raised concerns about the plan which may go through or past current and planned developments, council has placed the onus for future changes on developers.

“Council resolved that in the event that a developer requests or proposes an alternative alignment in certain areas of the masterplan, such a developer shall support the proposed alternative with studies in order to test the feasibility of the alternative. However, this should not result in the proposed masterplan losing its key objectives from a traffic and transportation standpoint,” said KDM in a release on July 28.

“Importantly, the proposed roads master plan will quantify the proposed upgrades required and apportion costs to the relevant developer or stakeholder. Meaning if developers want to develop in these areas they will know their obligations with regards to roads upgrades required as these will be calculated as part of the cost contribution model to be developed and approved.”

The adoption is the first phase of development and there will be further surveys and environmental studies which could slightly change the initial study.

In adopting the plan, KDM has made provisions for short, medium and long term processes in order to secure the relevant land reserves for infrastructure development.

These include right-of-way servitudes, land expropriation for road infrastructure and the aforementioned alignment of road infrastructure for future developments.

Funding for the plan is set to be spread between KDM, local authorities and private developers, but no details have yet been announced.

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